Search

Home » Guest Contributor Cami » Pottery Barn inspired LOVE ART

Pottery Barn inspired LOVE ART

So happy to have Cami back from “Tidbits”, sharing an adorable Pottery Barn hack!  I mean come on, this simple little sign would be absolutely perfect in any ol’ room in the house!  So in love! :)

-Ashley

. . . . .

 

Good to be back!

 

I’ve teamed up with my husband {and his mad woodworking skills} again today, to bring you this Pottery Barn inspired LOVE art – because who doesn’t love a good knock off?!

 

 

 

Once I saw this picture on Pottery Barn, I knew something like it belonged in my home.

  • Save

(Original source here)

 

 

We are hoping the word itself will rub off on our kids and there will be no more fighting . . . ever.

I’ll let you know how that goes ;)

 

 

My husband whipped up one for my mother as well, and it made an excellent gift.

 

 

 

Ours floats around our home, adding {love}ly charm to whatever space it finds itself in.

 

 

 

You’ll notice the lettering is different in the 2 variations, as well as the size.

 

 

 

We will guide you through making the wooden art with whatever lettering you choose, and any size you choose. I’ll also teach you an awesome painting technique to help give you this perfectly distressed look.

 

 

 

So grab your measuring tape, and let’s go!

 

Materials:

  • Wood letters – L-O-V-E
    • 5 1/2 inches tall
  • Pine Board
    • 3/4 x 8 x 20 inches
      • This board is the main section.
    • 3/4 x 1.5 x 64 inches
      • This board will be cut down to make all the outside pieces needed.
  • Wood glue
  • Nails or nail gun

 

 

Cuts:

  • For the outside pieces, you will need to cut the 3/4 x 1.5 x 64 board down to 4 pieces, with each end at a 45 degree angle.
  • Begin by cutting the end of the board at a 45 degree angle. Be sure you are cutting the 45 angle along the long side of the board.
  • Measure 20 inches from the inside of the 45 degree and cut another 45 degree angle in the opposite direction as the first.
  • Now measure another 20 inches and cut your 45 degree angle again, in the opposite direction as the previous cut.
  • Measure 8 inches and make your 45 degree angle.
  • Finally, measure another 8 inches and make your final 45 degree angle cut.

 

Start by putting the 3/4” x 8” board on a flat surface, place one of the 3/4” x 1.5” boards with the short side of the board against the side of the 3/4” x 8” board. Be sure to glue the surfaces between the boards first. 

 

Nail them together and repeat for all sides making sure the 45 degree angles meet correctly. 

 

*If you are choosing different sized letters and want a different size sign then we have shown you, follow this mathematical equation to figure out what size your boards and cuts should be. x=size of letters Multiply all length dimensions by x/5.5. For example, if you are using 4 inch letters it should look like this. 3/4 x 8 x 20 inch board = 3/4 x (8 times 4/5.5) x (20 times 4/5.5) = 3/4 x 5.75 x 14.5 rounding to the nearest quarter inch. This calculation would be the same for the 3/4 x 1.5 inch boards (ie. 3/4 x 1.5 x 14.5 and 3/4 x 1.5 x 5.75). (Big thank to the hubs for figuring all that out for me. He lost me at equation). It is helpful to fill in any cracks and nail holes with wood putty, at this point.

 

Onto the letters –

You are going to use wood glue to adhere your letters to the main section. You can visually space your letters as you desire within the frame. 

 

 

For painting your love art you will need –

  • Black paint
    • You can use acrylic or whatever you have on hand.
  • Candle
  • Foam Brush
  • Paint for the main color
  • Sandpaper

Begin by painting all the edges and corners in black. Let this dry completely. 

 

 

Rub the candle along all the edges and corners where you will want the paint to chip off and expose the black. 

 

 

Now cover the whole entire surface with the main color of paint, as many layers as needed to get the coverage you want. The black should not be visible.   

 

 

Once the paint is completely dry, you should be able to take your sandpaper and lightly scrub along the edges and corners, and the paint will easily chip right off where you rubbed your candle wax.   

 

 

This really helps define the edges and makes the letters more visual. 

 

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial, and please let us know if you have need of any further clarifications. If you would like to see other wood projects my husband has done and explained for us, here are a few over at TIDBITS.

 

Horse Silhouette Art

  • Save

 

Foldable Cutting Table Plans

  • Save

Wooden Crate Plans

  • Save

 

I’ll give him a big hug – for all of us ;)

 

Thank for reading!

-Cami

 

{Follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram or Google+, or head over to my blog and subscribe by email}  

                     

Ashley Johnston

Administrator at Make It & Love It
Ashley Johnston is a professional DIY costume maker, sewist, crafter, and owner of Make It & Love It. She is a mom of 5 and a wife to a very patient (with the craft clutter) husband. In case you’re wondering, she always chooses crafting/sewing/designing over mopping/dusting/wiping base boards……but bathrooms/laundry/full bellies are always attended to. Whew!

  • Save

Hi, I'm Ashley

Hi, I’m Ashley—the DIY-enthusiast behind this crazy blog!

Back to Top
6 Shares
Share via
Copy link